“Few people knew Junior Seau like Jim Trotter . . . he took a sports book and artistically crafted it into a lyrical narrative about dreams, love, and, ultimately, heart-wrenching loss.”—Lars Anderson, author of The All Americans

“Leave it to Jim Trotter, who knew Junior Seau better than anyone in our business, to capture his competitive essence and personal demons equally well. I had so many questions about why Seau’s life ended the way it did. Jim answered them with depth and compassion in this thorough and important book.”—Peter King, editor in chief, The MMQB

Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau is widely considered to be among the best linebackers in NFL history, a ten-time All-Pro, a twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and a first-ballot entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But in 2012, just two years after retiring from football, Junior Seau committed suicide. Studies of his brain by the National Institutes of Health concluded that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease often caused by repeated hits to the head. Seau’s suicide spawned numerous investigations into the brains of deceased NFL players, and many were found to have CTE.

Drawing on exclusive access to Seau’s family as well as Seau’s never-before-seen diaries and letters, Jim Trotter paints a moving and revealing portrait of a larger-than-life sports star whose achievements on the field were rivaled by his demons off it.

“No media member is better qualified to write this book than Trotter . . . it’s a highly informative, easy read.” —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap:

A moving portrait of the life and legendary career of one of the NFL’s most beloved players

Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau is widely considered one of the best linebackers ever to play the game. And if the sport had a heart and soul, Junior Seau was it. A San Diego native of Samoan descent, he sprung from a tight-knit family and community to shatter records at nearby USC. After being chosen as the fifth overall NFL draft pick in 1990, he embarked upon a nearly two-decade professional career, including stints with his hometown San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots. Seau was a ten-time All-Pro, a twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and was picked for the NFL’s All-Decade Team in the 1990s. A charismatic leader and competitor known for playing through injuries and leaving it all on the field, Seau started in almost 250 regular season games and electrified fans with his dynamic play.

Yet in 2012, upon his retirement from football, Seau plunged deeper into a dark period marked by erratic behavior. A few months later, at age forty-three, Seau committed suicide with a gunshot wound to the chest. The news of his tragic death sent shockwaves through the NFL. Later, studies concluded that Seau had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of brain damage caused by repeated blows to the head. Junior Seau’s suicide opened the door to hundreds of inquiries about the effects of brain trauma from NFL players and their families.

Veteran reporter Jim Trotter draws on exclusive access to Seau’s family and friends and never-before-seen diaries and letters, which provide incredible emotional insight into a man struggling with frustrations on the football field and moral failings off of it. The writings, as well as interviews with those closest to Seau—including the girlfriend who discovered his lifeless body —paint a portrait of a larger-than-life star whose towering achievements in the game made him an icon, but at a great cost.

From the Back Cover:

Leave it to Jim Trotter, who knew Junior Seau better than anyone in our business, to capture his competitive essence and personal demons equally well. I had so many questions about why Seau s life ended the way it did. Jim answered them with depth and compassion in this thorough and important book. Peter King, editor in chief, The MMQB

Tiaina Baul Junior Seau is widely considered to be among the best linebackers in NFL history, a ten-time All-Pro, a twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and a first-ballot entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But in 2012, just two years after retiring from football, Junior Seau committed suicide. Studies of his brain by the National Institutes of Health concluded that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease often caused by repeated hits to the head. Seau s suicide spawned numerous investigations into the brains of deceased NFL players, and many were found to have CTE.

Drawing on exclusive access to Seau s family as well as Seau s never-before-seen diaries and letters, Jim Trotter paints a moving and revealing portrait of a larger-than-life sports star whose achievements on the field were rivaled by his demons off it.

No media member is better qualified to write this book than Trotter ... it s a highly informative, easy read. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune

[AU PHOTO] JIM TROTTER covers the National Football League for ESPN. Previously, he was a senior writer at Sports Illustrated for almost seven years. Trotter began covering the NFL at the San Diego Union-Tribune, during which time he developed a close relationship with Junior Seau. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. "

Book Description HOUGHTON MIFFLIN, United States, 2016. Paperback. Condition: New. Reprint. Language: English. Brand new Book. "Few people knew Junior Seau like Jim Trotter . . . he took a sports book and artistically crafted it into a lyrical narrative about dreams, love, and, ultimately, heart-wrenching loss."--Lars Anderson, author of The All Americans"Leave it to Jim Trotter, who knew Junior Seau better than anyone in our business, to capture his competitive essence and personal demons equally well. I had so many questions about why Seau's life ended the way it did. Jim answered them with depth and compassion in this thorough and important book."--Peter King, editor in chief, The MMQB Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau is widely considered to be among the best linebackers in NFL history, a ten-time All-Pro, a twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and a first-ballot entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But in 2012, just two years after retiring from football, Junior Seau committed suicide. Studies of his brain by the National Institutes of Health concluded that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease often caused by repeated hits to the head. Seau's suicide spawned numerous investigations into the brains of deceased NFL players, and many were found to have CTE. Drawing on exclusive access to Seau's family as well as Seau's never-before-seen diaries and letters, Jim Trotter paints a moving and revealing portrait of a larger-than-life sports star whose achievements on the field were rivaled by his demons off it. "No media member is better qualified to write this book than Trotter . . . it's a highly informative, easy read." --Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune. Seller Inventory # AAS9780544811898